Game 1 Box Score | Game 2 Box Score
Grantham, PA — In a season chalk full of clutch wins and inspiring performances, Thursday's double-header may have provided the biggest of both.
To date, that is.
Messiah collected a pair of 2-1 wins over MAC Commonwealth arch-rival Lebanon Valley College at Starry Field, knocking off the league's only other unbeaten squad behind a pair of dominating pitching performances and the kind of timely hitting that has propelled the Falcons to a win total just 11 off the school record — all with six regular-season games remaining.
And while Messiah's 28-4 mark overall and 10-0 conference record now guarantees the squad the top seed in the upcoming MAC Commonwealth Tournament, head coach Amy Weaver seems nowhere near ready to anoint her team just yet.
"We've got a lot of softball left to play," Weaver said following Thursday's wins. "We understand that. But today was huge for us as a team. We were both undefeated (in conference play) and the whole team knew what was on the line. Our team knew we could do it and we did. We feel now we will get some respect around the region. Needless to say we were very excited about these big wins today."
Weaver's club got a fast start in the day's first game thanks to freshman pitcher Jessica Rhoads, who recorded her seventh complete-game no-hitter in the win. Rhoads (17-1) struck out 15 LVC batters in going the distance, setting a new single-season strikeout record in the process: With 221 K's on the year, Rhoads replaces '99 grad Jess Chambers, who struck out 211 batters in her senior season.
Surprisingly, Rhoads' latest no-no was not enough to keep Messiah from falling into an early deficit, as the Dutchmen drew two walks to start the game — eventually scoring a first-inning run off a passed ball.
The Falcons were able to knot the game at 1-1 in the bottom of the first, however, as a single from junior Lindsay Hall plated freshman Abi Buchler, who led off the stanza with a walk.
From that point, it was a pitching and defensive dual between the clubs, as Lebanon Valley (20-10, 6-2) and Messiah traded eight scoreless half innings. It was not until the bottom of the sixth that the hosts finally touched LVC starting pitcher and NCAA Region VIII Pitcher of the Week Val Malizzia (10-2), getting a pair of clutch hits to bring home the game-winning score.
Senior Amy Bowie ripped a one-out double to left field to start things — her shot caromed off the wall — while Hall followed with a huge single to bring home freshman Ashley Lehman, who pinch ran for Bowie.
Lehman got in easily under what was nearly a play at the plate, as the LVC throw was just a second too late.
Rhoads made for little drama in the bottom of the seventh inning, retiring LVC in three-up, three-down fashion with a pop out, a fly out and a strikeout.
"LVC has really good pitching," Weaver said, "but we felt we could get a few good hits and shut them down. That's pretty much what happened. They were both close games, but our kids just got the bat on the ball more than LVC did."
Such was again the case in Game Two, where Messiah recorded five hits to the Dutchmen's two en route to the identical 2-1 win. Junior Megan Rice (10-1) collected the pitching win, dealing a no-hitter through five complete innings before being removed in the sixth in favor of Rhoads. Rhoads (4) then picked up her fourth save of the season in relief, staying unhittable on the day in retiring all four of the batters she faced.
Hall again paced Messiah's offensive charge, as the junior captain ripped a bases-loaded double in the third inning. That blast to left field scored both of the Falcons' runs, and it would be enough: LVC got on the board in the sixth inning, making use of two hits and a Messiah error to pull within a 2-1 score with two outs retired. Rhoads came on to record a fly out with a Dutchmen base runner in scoring position, however, ending the threat.
Hall finished perhaps her most clutch offensive performance of the season going a combined 4-6 on the afternoon, knocking in all four of the Falcons' runs. Sophomore Rebekkah Funk was the only other player to record multiple hits in either game (she finished 2-3 in the nightcap), adding a double.
"We talked yesterday as a team about what we wanted to accomplish," Weaver said. "Our team wanted to come out strong, play hard and get the bat on the ball. Both of our pitchers were incredible today. They couldn't touch Jess, and Megan came out in Game Two striking out the first three batters in inning one. I knew it was going to be two good games. Both our pitchers were on and we just hit the ball more than they did. Our team was definitely up for this game. It meant a lot."
Messiah will now remain idle — in intercollegiate competition, anyway — until next Tuesday, when the team will travel to nearby Dickinson College for a double-header beginning at 5 p.m. The Falcons were supposed to host Juniata College in a double-header Saturday, but Juniata requested those games to be cancelled due to travel concerns.
Messiah will host its new stadium celebration Saturday, however, as the team will partake in an intra-squad scrimmage at 1 p.m. followed by a ceremony and cookout afterward. Weaver will acknowledge all those who made the Falcons' newly renovated stadium a possibility following the game — complete with a cookout for all donors, fans and friends of the program.
All are welcome to attend the celebration, but RSVPs are requested. Please email head coach Amy Weaver ataweaver@messiah.edu if you wish to join Saturday's cookout and celebration.
